Protesting small scale farmers in Nakonde district in Northern Province have started receiving their money for the maize they sold to the Food Reserve Agancy, FRA.
Nakonde District Commissioner Edwin Sinyinza confirmed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services [ZANIS] in Nakonde today.
Mr Sinyinza said the affected farmers started receiving their money through Finance Bank, Nakonde branch yesterday.
He said only farmers who sold less than 100 X 50 kg bags of white maize to the FRAFood through its buying agent Mwenzo District Cooperative Union would be paid.
“These are the instructions from Lusaka that only farmers who sold less than 100 x 50 kg bags of maize should be paid. A list of small scale farmers who sold less than 100 X 50 kg bags of maize has been submitted to the bank for payment,†said Mr Sinyinza.
The Nakonde DC said those who sold more than 100 X 50 kg bags of white maize should wait for further instructions from government.
A check at Finance Bank yesterday found some farmers being paid their money.
Small scale farmers in Nakonde district had been protesting in the last two weeks over the delayed payment for the maize they sold to FRA in July this year.
On Monday this week, the protesting farmers fought running battles with police demanding to be paid their money.
They also locked out the DC before proceeding to the office of the District agriculture and cooperatives coordinator [DACCO] where they were however, intercepted by the police.
Government suspended the maize marketing exercise in Nakonde district on August 20 this year following the discovery of several irregularities which are still under investigation.
One hopes the payment will include interest.